Rating: 
Summary: This is not more buzz words from a consultant
Review: I have read Tom's book twice. The second time very carefully because I wanted to be sure that I was not being seduced by the obvious. I was not. This is an addition to the literature on leading change. Many of the terms are familiar but Tom has brought them together in a way that creates a new picture of the forces that change -- and don't change -- business.I have become somewhat sceptical of all of the warnings of the dramatic shifts in paradigms that business must face to survive but Tom has succeeded in explaining the shift from mass production thinking to something new in a way that can be understood. I get a clear picture of what it means when there is a new context requiring new thinking. Not every business will face the same changes in context but every business needs to understand if and when its context changes. I am distributing this book to the sixty CEOs in my CEO peer groups for them to read and discuss. I am also going to schedule an opportunity for them to participate in a simulation to experience first hand the limits that mass production thinking imposes on our search for solutions.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for leaders in all fields!
Review: In this book Tom clearly communicates not only the new CONTEXT we operate in, but also how to succeed in it. Leaders in all arenas will benefit from this book. The practical tools outlined in each chapter will equip you and your team to lead Transformational Change. This is the one book I've read which expertly teaches theory and implementation. A book to be read, reviewed, and consulted often!
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Summary: A meaningful work for leaders to create a new business model
Review: This book finally provides the process to address how leaders can transform their company. Many other books defined the need to rethink the "business of the business" but none actually outlined a process. I have not only read the book but also participated in several of Tom's Simulation exercises. With this experiential background, I can honestly express to readers that you will actually understand what Tom is trying to convey only after having experienced the Simulation in conjunction with reading the book. We all have seen managers who were trying to "fix" an organization into a level of performance desired by customers, stockholders, and employees. Given the changes in consumers' demands for customized solutions, organizations that were built within the context of Mass Production cannot be "fixed" into a new existence. Organizations must be transformed and created to compete within the new reality of Mass Customization and the required thinking of a "market of one." The Simulation allows team members to "feel" the transformational change process and thereby it becomes more meaningful and alive than simply understanding the intellectual issues documented within Transformational Change. In particular, it becomes critical that a collection of individuals become aligned on the outcome the organization is trying to "create"; i. e., the Vision. More importantly, the individual boss can no longer "tell" the organization what the Vision should be. In today's world, team members must collectively create the Vision and enroll in that creation procss. Subsequent to alignment on Vision, then the Structural Framework becomes the documented process for leading the organization through transformation. If you read this book and participate within a Simulation, you will not believe how you will be equipped to transform your organization and be prepared to deal with the realtiy of Mass Customization. This is a very important book that all leaders should read, and read again.
Rating:
Summary: Work Smarter, Not Harder!
Review: This book is a way for each us to utilize our skills and passion to accomplish more than we thought possible. I loved this book for its complete picture of Transformational Change, role vs. job, and the how to's for change. The chapter entitled "Burned Out and Still Shining" offered powerful words of encouragement for change. Instead of doing the same things and hoping for a different result, change the input. In my organization, we are already using some of the ideas outlined in this book. It is more than an idea book for change, it is a reference manual.
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Summary: A Great Look at Mass Production Stalls and Overcoming Them!
Review: This book is a wonderful look at the experiences of hundreds of people looking for more meaning and fulfillment in their work. All of those organizations that made the most progress were the ones that added the most meaning the the lives of those in the company and their customers. Although the book does not discuss Habitat for Humanity, that model came to mind. Value-based leadership is essential to value-based enterprises. You will find out a lot about both in this book. Thomas Wentz has done an important service in identifying the thinking habits of mass production as an overwhelming source of organizational and individual stalled thinking. If he had stopped at that, he would have had a very important book that would benefit most people. However, he went beyond that and explored great stallbusting methods for overcoming the mass production stalls. I particularly endorse his ideas for the use of scenarios to give people experience in making the required changes. This book is an important complement to The 2,000 Percent Solution. I have not seen the argument against mass production put together in quite this way before: That it is doomed because of its negative impact on the people in the business that provides the mass-produced product or service. When the economic history of this period is written, people in the future will be amazed as how slow businesses were to take advantage of the irresistible forces of new technology and customer desires to provide much more satisfying, individualized solutions. Almost everyone is aware of examples of this new approach (right here on Amazon.com, at Dell Computer's on-line site, and at Burger King), yet most companies are ignoring the inevitable revolution in front of them. This book makes the case eloquently for this shift. I was very impressed with the depth and acuteness of perception in this book's treatment of the sources of bad thinking habits and how to overcome them. A high percentage of the disenabling beliefs that cause people to improve the efficiency of yesterday rather than create the better solutions of today were described and well dissected here. I hope that everyone who would like to work in a more interesting company or receive more individualized services and products will read this book immediately! Overcome your bureaucratic, tradition, misconception, disbelief, procrastination, and independence stalls with this outstanding book.
Rating:
Summary: Thank's Tom. We have waited so long!
Review: Tom Wentz has given us a better way. His message is powerful and inspirational. His insights on vision, engaged leadership, and committment to mass customization, enable us to at last make the customer the force that drives our business.
Tom's transformation begins within us. It is very exciting and long overdue.
Rating:
Summary: Transformational Change
Review: Tom Wentz is the quinessential change agent! His book, "Transformational Change" describes clearly the process of change from mass production to mass customization. While the book is an easy read, you'll want to revisit it many times because of the great depth it possesses. Mr. Wentz shows that insanity truly is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. He likens it to those "hackers" out on the driving range who continually use the improper swing and expect a drive 275 yards straight down the middle. In light of the events since September 11, 2001, Mr. Wentz expertly shows the need "not to defer the the experience of living today" and to become truly fulfilled at work, at home or in your communities. This is must reading for anyone who wants to transform their existence.
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Summary: Tom's got it Right!
Review: Tom's insights are spot on. His lessons are must learns for all executives looking to thrive, not just survive!
Rating: 
Summary: Strong arguements, specific directions
Review: Transformational change addresses the problem of how to deal with change when moving from a mass production oriented business to a customer centered customized production business. One of the truly unique perspectives of this book is that it discusses and details the process of such a change. Many similar books effectively argue the need for change but then provide no direction on how to make the change. Thomas Wentz' book provides detailed discussion and processes for creating that complete transformation of your business In the past most businesses were based on a mass production focus. Success and management were evaluated on a numbers basis. How much has sales increased? How many items were produced during this period last year? This numbers orientation tends to cause people to work hard to meet the numbers as their primary focus. In this scenario employees typically don't go beyond what is expected of them. There is no motivation to create a unique world-class organization. Add to that the fact that times have changed and customers now require a solution or product that is customized to their specific needs. If you can't provide a customized solution or product then they will simply go to a competitor that can. Is this just another business direction change? Thomas Wentz argues that it is more than just a directional change, it requires a complete transformation of the business from one form to another completely different form. A nice extra to the book are the numerous "Key points" scattered throughout the text. By summarizing the prior information in just one or two sentences and making it stand out from the text it is easy to quickly read over the key points of the book and refresh your memory on an ongoing basis. An excellent book on business and change that also has some applicability to personal change, it is a recommended read.
Rating:
Summary: Strong arguements, specific directions
Review: Transformational change addresses the problem of how to deal with change when moving from a mass production oriented business to a customer centered customized production business. One of the truly unique perspectives of this book is that it discusses and details the process of such a change. Many similar books effectively argue the need for change but then provide no direction on how to make the change. Thomas Wentz' book provides detailed discussion and processes for creating that complete transformation of your business In the past most businesses were based on a mass production focus. Success and management were evaluated on a numbers basis. How much has sales increased? How many items were produced during this period last year? This numbers orientation tends to cause people to work hard to meet the numbers as their primary focus. In this scenario employees typically don't go beyond what is expected of them. There is no motivation to create a unique world-class organization. Add to that the fact that times have changed and customers now require a solution or product that is customized to their specific needs. If you can't provide a customized solution or product then they will simply go to a competitor that can. Is this just another business direction change? Thomas Wentz argues that it is more than just a directional change, it requires a complete transformation of the business from one form to another completely different form. A nice extra to the book are the numerous "Key points" scattered throughout the text. By summarizing the prior information in just one or two sentences and making it stand out from the text it is easy to quickly read over the key points of the book and refresh your memory on an ongoing basis. An excellent book on business and change that also has some applicability to personal change, it is a recommended read.
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